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Announcements

Working Lands for Wildlife: In Pursuit of the Shifting Mosaic

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Join RGS & AWS for this forestry-focused virtual event on February 25 , 2021 from 10:30 am – 1:30 pm.

Register today for a unique opportunity to explore and discuss working lands conservation. This FREE webinar will educate landowners and natural resource professionals on working lands conservation programs intended to benefit wildlife species and promote forest diversity.

This webinar has been approved for 2.5 Category 1 CEU’s by the Society of American Foresters; please register to receive credit.

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Coalition Supports Conservation on Indiana’s Hoosier National Forest

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Photo By Steve Oehlenschlager

Amicus brief filed in support of Indiana’s Hoosier National Forest habitat project by Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society, coalition of conservation groups

The ruffed grouse was listed as an endangered species in Indiana on December 16, 2020.

January 12, 2021 (New Albany, IN) – The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society led a coalition of conservation groups that filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, related to the Houston South Vegetation Management and Restoration Project (Houston South Project) within Hoosier National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service faces a lawsuit that aims to shut down the project; RGS & AWS is not a party on the lawsuit, but the brief supports the Houston South Project and its objectives to restore habitat for ruffed grouse and other wildlife. The State of Indiana officially listed the ruffed grouse as a state endangered species on December 16, 2020.

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Benelli sponsors special deal available to new and renewing members of the Ruffed Grouse Society

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Through Dec. 31, new or renewing members will be placed in a drawing for one of three Benelli Montefeltro Silver Featherweights

Coraopolis, Pa. – The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society are well known for uniting conservationists to improve wildlife habitat and forest health, as well as promoting forest stewardship. Thousands of members across the country already support this mission. RGS & AWS are always welcoming new members, and for the next six weeks, there’s an added incentive to join.

As a result of a generous sponsorship of Benelli, new and renewing members of Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) are getting an incredible deal.

Beginning this week and running through the end of 2020, all new, renewing, or upgrading members will receive special membership perks, including the opportunity to win a 20 gauge Benelli Montefeltro Silver Featherweight. Benelli has donated three Montefeltro Silver Featherweights and RGS & AWS will randomly select three winners at the end of the promotion period.

More details about the special membership deal can be found here.

“Benelli USA is proud to support RGS &AWS during these challenging times,” said Tom DeBolt, Benelli’s General manager. “The conservation work that is done by everyone on their team is essential to the long-term health and sustainability of ruffed grouse and American woodcock populations. We encourage all hunters to consider joining the organization to support this important mission” 

Membership details: All renewing or new members will be eligible to win prizes sponsored by Benelli. RGS & AWS memberships are $60 to support both grouse and woodcock and, with the $60 membership, members get two entries for the Benelli drawing, a one-year subscription to Covers magazine, RGS & AWS Conservation Calendar, Our Forests-Our, Future t-shirt, and two decals. There are also $35 memberships available for those who would like to support only ruffed grouse or only American woodcock conservation; the $35 membership includes one entry for the Benelli drawing, a magazine subscription, a calendar, and two decals.  

RGS & AWS Chapter promotion: Additionally, all new, renewing and upgrading members can help their local chapter win a $10,000 habitat bonus. The chapter with the highest percentage of new, renewing and upgrading members at the conclusion of the promotion period will be announced as the winner and will be highlighted in a future issue of Covers magazine.

All offers expire at 11:59 pm ET on December 31, 2020.

Oswayo Valley Student Artist Featured at Upland Bird Hunt in the PA Wilds

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Zane Malogrino and Jed Hamberger, Superintendent of Oswayo Valley School District show samples of Zane’s custom made wood pieces.

St. Marys, Pa.:  Zane Malogrino of Shinglehouse, Pa., and a student at the Oswayo Valley School District in Potter and eastern McKean Counties, was the featured artist at the 12th Annual Upland Bird Hunt in the PA Wilds on 11/6.  Zane’s fine artwork specializes in laser engraving of wooden “home use” pieces, such as serving trays, hat racks, key racks, coasters, clocks, and bottle openers.

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RGS & AWS Seeking to Fill Three New Forest Conservation Director Positions

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Forest conservation director position description and application process.

Despite COVID disruptions, we are moving forward with our plans to increase wildlife-focused forest management at scale. 

We have buckled down and worked hard over the past 8 months to ensure we can deliver and expand on our mission. Our ability to fill these positions reflects the incredible support of our members and donors and our confidence that such support will continue into the future. 

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RGS & AWS: A nonpartisan nonprofit

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Ruffed grouse hunting and conservation was recently featured as the focus of a political campaign video. As a result of this, and in light of the upcoming election, we feel compelled to remind our members that we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

RGS & AWS is a nonpartisan organization and did not sponsor the production, creation, or launch of this video. Our nonprofit status dictates that we are prohibited from participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. We work with a wide range of vendors and contractors with varying political affiliations. We are assessing our agreements with vendors/contractors to ensure we are within the bounds of our 501(c)(3) status.

The management of ruffed grouse and their forest habitats has risen in prominence as we face tough challenges. It should be no surprise that our cause is gaining national attention. Despite hardships of the past eight months and discord within our nation, we remain laser-focused on uniting conservationists.

Regardless of this election’s results, RGS & AWS will continue to engage partners from across the political spectrum on urgent issues. Above all else, our mission is: healthy forests, abundant wildlife, and conservation ethics.

RGS & AWS Mourn the Loss of Member and Conservationist, John Ruthven

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RGS & AWS are deeply saddened by the loss of member, donor and conservationist John Ruthven who passed away earlier this month. Over the years, the Ruthvens made countless contributions to RGS & AWS through the Gilbert Symons Chapter based in Ohio.

An acclaimed wildlife artist, he regularly donated prints and original artwork along with his willingness to sign prints, hunt with other members and make personal appearances at RGS & AWS events.

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RGS & AWS Support 30 by 30 Initiative

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30 by 30 Initiative

RGS & AWS along with other hunting, fishing and habitat conservation groups issue support of 30 by 30 initiative.

October 19, 2020 (Washington, D.C.) – Today, the nation’s leading hunting, fishing, and habitat conservation organizations released a statement on the Thirty by Thirty Initiative (30 by 30 Initiative) to establish a goal of placing 30% of the planet’s lands and waters under protected status by the year 2030.

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